Brake for centrifugal extractor

ABSTRACT

An access lid of a centrifugal extractor includes a brake surface on the underside of the lid and is manually movable for interrupting motor energization and for effecting engagement of the brake surface with the rotatable fabric container to reduce the speed of the spinning container prior to removal of the lid from the housing.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith [111 3,744,711 [451 July 10, 1973 BRAKE FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR [75] inventor: Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa [73] Assignee: The Maytag Company, Newton,

Iowa

3,621,963 11/1971 Smith 192/136 1,797,602 3/1931 Bryson 233/1 B 2,745,217 5/1956 Gold et al. 233/] R 1,865,584 7/1932 Primary Examiner-George H'. Krizmanich Attorney-William G. Landwier et al.

[ 57] ABSTRACT An access lid of a centrifugal extractor includes a brake surface on the underside of the lid and is manually movable for interrupting motor energization and for effecting engagement of the brake surface with the rotatable fabric container to reduce the speed of the spin- 4 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2:158 iggntarner prior to removal of the lid from the 3,539,011 11/1970 Hopkins. .L 210/146 7 3,691,645 9/1972 Nethersell..... 15 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures z 3/ 52 an 37 x l O 0 53 4.) l O O a O 15 O o Perry 233/] B BRAKE FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a brake for a centrifugal extractor and more particularly to a brake on amovable lid engageable with the spinning container to effect a braking thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art The nature of a centrifugal extractor dictates, in the interest of safety, that rotation of the spinner be controlled to prevent access thereto during high speed rotation. Ina centrifugal. extractor a container, such as a fabric container, is driven at relatively high centrifugal speeds to remove liquid from the articles contained in the spinner. Because of the high speed it is of course desirable to prevent an encounter with the spinner while it isdriven at extraction speeds.

Prior art disclosures in the area of centrifugal extractors disclose a number of systems for preventing access to the spinning container. These prior art disclosures, however, include relatively complex intermediate actuating mechanisms and structures for effecting selective clutching and braking of the container. In some prior art disclosures solenoids are selectively energizable for effecting either a driving condition or a braking condition of the motor or related drive system components.

There is therefore a continuing search to satisfy the need for a simple low cost, yet effective and reliable, control system for achieving a braking of the rotation of the spinner prior to permitting access to the spinner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I It is thus an object of the instant invention to provide an improved control for a centrifugal extractor to insurea braking of the spinner rotation prior to removal of the access lid.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a reliable low cost manuallyoperable braking system for a centrifugal extractor.

provide a centrifugal extractor lid construction operable for controlling energization of the drive means and for effecting a direct braking of the spinner prior to or in the process of removal of the lid from the housing. The instant invention achieves these objects in an extractor having a lid manually movable into engagement with a surface of the spinner, as the lid is removed from the housing, to reduce the speed of the spinner prior to the removal of the lid from the housing. 1

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying page of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several views wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken generally along the longitudinal vertical axis of a centrifugal extractor embodying the instant invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a centrifugal extractor electrically energizable for effecting centrifugal removal of liquid from fabrics. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the extractor is a compact portable apparatus that may be set on a cabinet or counter top for draining extracted. liquid into a sink. The extractor includes the major components of a base 10, housing 1 l, lid 12, centrifugal spinner l4, and motor 15.

More'specifically, the exterior construction includes a base supported on a plurality of feet 16 attached to the base 10 by screws 17. The screws 17 and feet 16 cooperate to removably attach a base cover 20 to the lower side of the base 10 for substantially closing the bottom portion of the extractor.

Positioned on the base 10 and attached thereto is a housing 11 for enclosing the spinner 14 and motor 15 I and for defining a fluid container. The housing 11 includes a generally cylindrical imperforate outer wall 21 extending upwardly to a height approximating that of the upper portion of the spinner 14. The housing 11 further includes an imperforate truncated wall 22 spaced inwardly from the outer wall 21. The inner wall 22 is spaced from the axis of the extractor to define a motor cavity 24 along the axis of the extractor. A bottom wall25 connects the inner and outer walls 22 and "'21 to form a generally annular fluid revervoir 26. The

bottom wall 25 is imperforate except for a first opening (not shown) connected to the drain hose 27, shown in fragmentary form in FIG. 1, for conducting the extracted fluid from the reservoir 26 to an external drain and a second opening for accommodating switch actuating mechanism as will be further described hereinafter. I

The housing 11 further includes a radially enlarged upper flange 30 connected to the outer wall 21 andde- I fining an access into the housing. A removable lid 12 is disposed in the access. The upper flange 30 further includes a re-entrant ledge 31 near the upper portion thereof.

The lid has a shallow generally conical-appearing shape extending inwardly and upwardly to a central upwardly extending handgrip 32. A depending flange adjacent the outer periphery of the lid 12 telescopes into the upper flange 30 of the housing 11 for effectively closing the access opening.

An annular brake pad 35 is secured to the lower surface of the lid 12 through a resilient backup member 36. The brake surface of the brake pad 35 may approximate a generally spherical surface having a center of radius adjacent the effective pivot point of the operative assembly to secure uniform braking engagement between the brake surface and the upper flange 52 of the container 14 even if the container is not disposed exactly on the vertical axis of the extractor due to unbalanced loading.

In a preferred emboidment the brake pad 35 is com posed of a polypropylene felt material while the resilient backup member- 36 is formedof a foam material. It is noted that the lid 12 is movable axially toward the spinner 14 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to effect engagement of the brake pad 35 with the spinner l4.

34 for operative engagement with the re-entrant ledge 31 of the upper housing flange 30. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 it may be seen that movement of the lid 12 from a removed condition to an operative position as in FIG. 1 requires that the lug 37 be aligned with a vertical slot 40 extending through the re-entrant ledge 31. The lid 12 is thus movable axially and then rotatably relative to the housing 11 to move the lug 37 in a generally verti cal direction through the vertical slot 40 and then in a generally horizontal direction through the horizontal slot 41 to effect an interlocking of the lid 12 to the housing 11. The lid 12 is then axially movable upwardly to position the lug 37 in the recess 42 as in FIG. 2 for latching the lid 12 to the housing 11.

Referring to the upper right-hand portion of FIG. 1 there is shown one of a plurality of lid support pins 44 protruding upwardly through the re-entrant ledge 31 for engagement with the lid 12. The pin 44 is biased in an upwardly direction by a spring 45 to urge the lid 12 axially upwardly for maintaining engagement of the lugs 37 with the ledge recess 42 as shown in FIG. 2.

It is thus clear that the lid 12 is movable to a plurality of positions relative to the housing flange 30. In what may be considered a normal or off position the lid 12 rests on the plurality of biased pins 44 and effectively covers the access. With the lid 12 in this inoperative position, the lug 37 is positioned in the vertical slot 40 as indicated by broken lines 46 in FIG. 2. To energize the extractor, the lid 12 is then moved axially to align the lug 37 for movement into the horizontally extending slot 41. In this access closing position, the machine is still de-energized and, at this elevation, the brake pad 35 is engaged with the spinner 14 as will be more fully shown hereinafter. Since there is no rotation, the lid 12 is easily rotatable to the position as indicated by the broken lines 47 for the lug 37 in FIG. 2. The spring biasing force on the lid support pins 44 will move the lid 12 to an operative position as indicated by the full line lug 37 shown in FIG. 2.

The spinner or fabric container 14 is disposed for rotation on generally the central axis of the housing 11. The spinner 14 includes a bottom wall 50 and a perforate generally cylindrical upwardly extending outer wall 51 terminating in an inwardly extending rolled flange 52 at the upper end to form a container for the fabrics. The access of the spinner l4 defined by the upper flange 52 is readily convenient for the loading of fabrics into the spinner.

Attached to the bottom of the container 14 is a flanged hub 54. The spinner 14 and hub 54 are securely connected by a plurality of bolts 55 and nuts 56. An imperforate fluid deflector or slinger 57 is positioned below the spinner l4 and is fixed to the spinner by the connection between the hub and spinner. The deflector 57 will direct into the reservoir 26 fluid draining from the spinner 14 at rest and will upon rotation of the spinner 14 tend to propel liquid outwardly toward the outer housing wall 21 and into the reservoir 26. This deflector 57 has an overlapping relationship with the inner wall 22 to prevent the flow of liquid into the motor compartment 24.

The motor is positioned within the compartment 24 defined by the inner housing wall 22 on the generally central axis of the extractor with the hub 54 connected to the motor shaft 60 by a setscrew 61 and urethane plug 63. The shaded pole fractional horsepower motor 15 is operable for rotation at approximately 3,500 rpm and is operable for rotating the spinner 14 v in the direction as indicated by the arrow 62 in FIG. 2. Disposed below and driven by the motor 15 is a fan 64 for effectively cooling the motor 15 during extractor operation. An imperforate motor shield 65 is connected to the hub by a plurality of screws 66.

The lower end of the motor 15 is fixed to a support plate 67 by threaded fasteners (not shown). The support plate 67 includes a plurality of radially extending arms 71 angularly spaced around the support plate 67 and juxtaposed to similarly spaced brackets 72 connected to and extending inwardly from the base 10.

Operatively disposed between each of the overlapping support plate arms 71 and base brackets 72 is a resilient member 74. One end of the resilient member 74 is connected to the central operating assembly through the support plate 67 and held in place by a nut 75 threadingly engageable with a bolt 76. The other end of the resilient member 74 is connected to the housing bracket 72 by a pair of nuts 77 on threaded member 78. Adjustment of the resilient member 74 relative to the housing bracket 72 may be achieved by the relative positioning of the nuts 77 on the threaded member 78. It is clear that this arrangement will permit raising and lowering of the central operative assembly by changing all of the mounts, of which three are provided in a preferred embodiment, and permit centering of the operative assembly by changing one or more of the mounts.

The motor 15 is connected to an electrical circuit for selective energization to effect operation of the extractor. Included in the circuit is a control switch 80 positioned within the base 10 and mounted to the housing 11 through the combination switch bracket-plunger guide 81 which is fixed to the underside of the housing bottom wall 25 and clamps an aperture-closing seal 82 therebetween. The switch 80 is operable between a normally closed condition and an open condition by a plunger 84 slidingly operable in the combination bracket-guide 81. One end of the plunger 84 extends through the aperture-closing seal 82 in the lower housing wall. 25 and is biased at the other end in a downwardly direction by the spring 85 for operation of the switch 80 to the open condition whereby the motor is maintained de-energized.

Operation of the switch 80 to the normally closed position is controlled by an actuating rod 86 connected to the plunger and extending upwardly to the flange portion 30 of the extractor housing 11 for engagement by the lid lug 37. The rod 86 includes a right angle portion 87 positioned within the ledge recess 42 and engageable by the lid lug 37 so that upward movement of the lid lug 37 in the recess under the biasing force of springs 45 acting on the lid 12 through the supporting pins 44 will move the rod 86 upwardly against the biasing of the plunger spring 85 to permit operation of the switch 80 to the normally closed condition for energizing the motor 15.

Initiation of extractor operation following the placing of wet fabrics in the spinner 14 is controlled by the operator. The operator aligns the lug 37 on the lid 12 with the vertical slot 40 and pushes the lid 12 downwardly in an axial direction to move the lug 37 through the vertical slot 40 and then rotates the lid 12 relative to the housing 11 to move the lug 37 through the horizontal slot 41. The operator releases the lid 12 and permits the biasing of the springs "'45 acting on the lid support pins 44 to move the lid 12 a short distance upwardly into the recess 42 for engagement of the lug37 with the right angle portion 87 of the switch actuating rod 86.

The biased movment of the lid 12 in the upward direction moves the brake pad 35 away from the upper flange 52 of thespinner 14 and moves the actuator rod 86 and switchplunger 84 in an upwardly direction to release the switch 80 for actuation to the normally closed condition. The motor is thus energized for rotating'the spinner 14 to effect a centrifugal liquid extraction operation. It is'noted that rotation of the spinner 14 is in the direction opposite to the rotation required to remove the lid 12 from the housing 11..

To stop the extractor and obtain access to the spinner 14 the process is essentially reversed to effect deenergization of the motor 15 and a braking of the spinner 14. More specifically, the operator first presses down onthe lid 12 so that the lug 37 releases the switch actuator rod86 to effect de-energization of the motor 15. As thelid 12 is pushed down, the brake surface 35 is moved into engagement with the upper flange $2 of the spinner l4 and, while the lid 12 is depressed, effects a braking or decrease in rotational speed of the spinner 14 through a frictional action between the spinner flange 52 and the brake pad surface 35.

Since downward movement of the lid 12 is necessary to remove the lid 12 from the housing 11 and since further movement to remove the lid 12 from the housing 11 requires rotation of the lid 12 against the rotation of the spinner 14, there is a tendency for the rotation of the spinner 14 to maintain the lid 12 in a braking position as indicated by the broken line position 47 of the lug 37 as in FIG. 2. It is only through rotational movement of the lid 12 in the braking position that the lug 37 is movable in the horizontal slot 41 to permit removal of the lid 12 from the housing 11. The assured engagement of the lid 12 with the spinner 14 for a braking thereof during movement of the lid 12 from the housing 11 is thus achieved. I

The brake system forming the preferred embodiment of this invention is operable for achieving a braking of the spinner 14 from approximately 3,500 rpm to a stopped condition in approximately 2 or 3 seconds. Upon the spinner 14 coming to a stop the lid 12 is easily rotated in a direction opposite to the driven direction of rotation of the spinner for removing the lid 12 from the housing 11 to permit access to the fabric container It is thus clear that the instant invention provides an uncomplicated low cost yet highly effective and reliable braking system. The operation of the switch and the requirement for engagement of the braking surfaces during removal of the lid effectively prevent removal of the lid while the spinner is centrifugally rotating.

ln the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined in the following claims I claim:

1. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined bywall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; control means controlling operation of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first position for actuating said control means to effect operation of said drive means, and a brake surface on said lid andselectively engageable with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of said container, said lid being manually movable from said first position to a second position for operating said actuat ing means and in turn said control means to interrupt operation of said drive means and for effecting a brake ing engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member.

2. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive .means for rotating said container; control means controlling operation of said 7 tion of said drive means through said actuating means and said control means and for effecting a braking engagement of said lid with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of said container.

' 3. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; and actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means, said lid being manually movable from said first access-closing position to a second access-closing position for operating said actuating means to actuate said switch means for deenergizing said drive means, said lid in said second access-closing position being frictionally engageable with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of said container.

4. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated member operatively connecting said lid to said switch mean's in said first access-closing position. i

5. ln an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said lid includes a layer of braking material engageable with said container wall member with said lid in said second access-closing position.

6. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 and further including detent means for effectively latching said'lid in said first access-closing position during operation of I the extractor.

7. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said lid is axially movable from said first access-closing position to said second access-closing position and is rotatable from said second access-closing position to effect removal of said lid from said container.

8. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening and including a brake surface engageable with one of the wall members of said container; and actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means, said lid being manually movable to a second access-closing position for effecting actuation of said switch means to de-energize said drive means and for effecting braking engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member to reduce the rotational speed of said container.

9. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 and further including meansfor interlocking said housing and said lid when said lid is disposed in said first access-closing position with said switch actuated for energizing said drive means whereby access to said container is prevented during operation of the extractor.

10. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 wherein said lid is axially movable from the operative first accessclosing position to a second access-closing position to effect de-energization of said drive means and engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member and wherein said lid must be rotated from said second access-closing position in a direction opposite to the rotation of said container with said brake surface engaged with said container wall member to remove said lid from said housing.

11. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 wherein said container includes an upper wall member and wherein said brake surface is in the form of annular brake means on the underside of said lid engageable with the upper wall member of said container.

12. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means; and brake means on said lid selectively engageable with one of the wall members of said container, said lid being axially movable from said first access-closing position to a second access-closing position for efiecting actuation of said switch means to de-energize said drive means and for effecting braking engagement of said brake means with said container wall member to reduce the rotational speed of said container, said lid being rotationally movable from said second access-closing'position in a direction opposite to the rotation of said container to a lid-removing position.

13. In an extractor as defined in claim 12 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated member operably connected between said lid and said switch means with said lid in said first access-closing position.

14. In an extractor as defined in claim l2'and further including means for maintaining said lid in said first access-closing position during operation of said extractor.

15. In an extractor as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for maintaining said lid in said first accessclosing position comprises detented interlocking means operable between said lid and said housing at said first access-closing position. 

1. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; control means controlling operation of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first position for actuating said control means to effect operation of said drive means, and a brake surface on said lid and selectively engageable with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of said container, said lid being manually movable from said first position to a second position for operating said actuating means and in turn said control means to interrupt operation of said drive means and for effecting a braking engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member.
 2. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; control means controlling operation of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; and actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said control means to effect operation of said drive means, said lid being manually movable from said first access-closing position to a second access-closing position for interrupting operation of said drive means through said actuating means and said control means and for effecting a braking engagement of said lid with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of saiD container.
 3. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; and actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means, said lid being manually movable from said first access-closing position to a second access-closing position for operating said actuating means to actuate said switch means for de-energizing said drive means, said lid in said second access-closing position being frictionally engageable with one of the wall members of said container to reduce the rotational speed of said container.
 4. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated member operatively connecting said lid to said switch means in said first access-closing position.
 5. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said lid includes a layer of braking material engageable with said container wall member with said lid in said second access-closing position.
 6. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 and further including detent means for effectively latching said lid in said first access-closing position during operation of the extractor.
 7. In an extractor as defined in claim 3 wherein said lid is axially movable from said first access-closing position to said second access-closing position and is rotatable from said second access-closing position to effect removal of said lid from said container.
 8. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at extraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening and including a brake surface engageable with one of the wall members of said container; and actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means, said lid being manually movable to a second access-closing position for effecting actuation of said switch means to de-energize said drive means and for effecting braking engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member to reduce the rotational speed of said container.
 9. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 and further including means for interlocking said housing and said lid when said lid is disposed in said first access-closing position with said switch actuated for energizing said drive means whereby access to said container is prevented during operation of the extractor.
 10. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 wherein said lid is axially movable from the operative first access-closing position to a second access-closing position to effect de-energization of said drive means and engagement of said brake surface with said container wall member and wherein said lid must be rotated from said second access-closing position in a direction opposite to the rotation of said container with said brake surface engaged with said container wall member to remove said lid from said housing.
 11. In an extractor as defined in claim 8 wherein said container includes an upper wall member and wherein said brake surface is in the form of annular brake means on the underside of said lid engageable with the upper wall member of said container.
 12. In an extractor, the combination comprising: a rotatable container defined by wall members and operable at exTraction speeds for removing liquid from articles contained therein; drive means for rotating said container; switch means controlling energization of said drive means; a housing generally enclosing said container and defining an opening for permitting access to said container; a movable lid disposed in said opening for closing said access; actuating means associated with said lid and operable with said lid in a first access-closing position for actuating said switch means to energize said drive means; and brake means on said lid selectively engageable with one of the wall members of said container, said lid being axially movable from said first access-closing position to a second access-closing position for effecting actuation of said switch means to de-energize said drive means and for effecting braking engagement of said brake means with said container wall member to reduce the rotational speed of said container, said lid being rotationally movable from said second access-closing position in a direction opposite to the rotation of said container to a lid-removing position.
 13. In an extractor as defined in claim 12 wherein said actuating means includes an elongated member operably connected between said lid and said switch means with said lid in said first access-closing position.
 14. In an extractor as defined in claim 12 and further including means for maintaining said lid in said first access-closing position during operation of said extractor.
 15. In an extractor as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for maintaining said lid in said first access-closing position comprises detented interlocking means operable between said lid and said housing at said first access-closing position. 